New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-12-16
Of furnaces and mills will awaken Democratic
workers to an understanding of the situation.
THE FLAG ON THE SEAS.

The Administration was sharply criticised at
the last meeting Of the Beard Of Trade for its
hostility to tho American merchant marine.
The Postmastcr-G Generals blundcr in withhold
ing from the national lines the mcagrc appro-
priation of 100000 voted by Congress for
mail transportation was pointed out, and in
cisivc speeches in favor Of generous mail sub
ventions were made by leading members OF
the Board. The argument was used that II
. the Government were to cXpcnd from $1,000
600 to SlOOOO,OOO annually in aiding and
encouraging American steamship lines to com
pete with foreign corporations, 1t would 90 no
more than other countries are dong IN pre-
venting Americans from reganlng their pres
tigc on the high seas. Only five votes were
cast against the resolutions IN favor OF using
every legitimate means to foster the merchant
marine through liberal payments for mail ser
vice and the enactment of tonnage bountics.
Tho shipping leagues throughout the land will
be greatly encouraged by this demonstration
OF interest and sympathy from so important
a commercial body as the Board of Trade.
This subject is argued on its merits with adj
mirablo lucidty and force by Admiral Porter
in his annual report of this year. lie shows
that tho British Government from 1880 to
1885 expended S2lS, 100000 in Substituting
steamship lines in various ways, and that ITS
current contracts for mail transportation OK
coed S3.S70OOO. This is the English poIlcy
by which new avenues Of trade have been
Systematically opened and maritime corpora
lions sustained in the hazardous business OF
connecting for the commerce Of the world.
Tho commercial marine of England owes It's
existence to subvcntions or subsidies; and
every maritime nation IN Europe has adopted
the same plan for establishing trade with for
cign countries America, who's" fleet once
whitcncd every sea, aionc fingers IN the creeks
along shore, dcbarrcd from sharing in the
harvest Of the worlds trade BY the ignorance
Of cheap jack economists like Mr. Holman
and Colonel Villas and the inSidious devices Of
agents Of tho foreign lines. Those precious
rcformers" are always ready to shrek them
selves hoarsc over subsidy lcsS'itIon when
Ger Il fair charge is asked for ocean mail
Transportation and the crafty agents are only
too clad to carry American mails "on the
cheap" if by this cApcdicnt they can close the
door acains. American competition on the high
seas.
Admiral Porter advocates the payment OF
SlOOOO.OOO annually for the cncoura cement
Of tho American marine and contends that },
would be found to be n highly rcmuncatfc
investments returning more than IFS equivalent
in the shape Of customs dies. Why shonid
MT our commerce." he asks, be allowed the
same opportunities that are afforded the other
industries Of the country which have reached
q development such as the most far-'cc'n1
never dreamed of?' This Is the question
which the shipping leagues are aeliai'ng "lh
increasing vigor. and the National Board #
Trade at its next session VIII be- certain To-
discus, it with interest and intelligence.
revival Of the commercial marine is one Of the
living issues involved in Republican success
next wear.